So says Jeremy Stein.

We are in the midst of an historic opportunity to begin the process of eradicating the systemic racism and injustice that has afflicted black people and other marginalized communities from before the founding fathers declared their intention to form a “more perfect union.” Although their words recognized that achieving justice and equality is a journey, not a destination, history and recent events have again made evident that black Americans were excluded from the outset, and are still not fully part of that journey.

Black Lives Matter protests have swept Connecticut; the conversations they have ignited are encouraging. There are hopeful signs that substantive changes are possible that will address police brutality and improve access to economic opportunity, education, health equity and affordable housing, to name a few. Equally important is tackling gun violence, especially as it impacts black and brown communities.

While Connecticut has the sixth lowest rate of gun deaths in the nation, gun violence in our communities of color is far too prevalent. Just this week in Bridgeport there were five shootings in less than 24 hours. Gun violence in Connecticut disproportionately takes the lives of African Americans; approximately 56 percent of the state’s gun homicide victims are black, five times the proportion who live here.

The conclusion is inescapable: Community gun violence must be a priority if Connecticut is to address racial injustice. The solutions must go beyond policing. Law enforcement-focused approaches are not enough to stop the violence. And as the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Rayshard Brooks and others have made clear, we must not only admit that police violence exists, we must confront it head on. The simple truth is, police violence is gun violence.

CT Against Gun Violence and a broad coalition of organizations are calling on the state to create a Standing Commission to Prevent Community Gun Violence. The commission would be tasked with identifying, funding, implementing and overseeing evidence-based, community-centric programs and strategies to reduce gun violence, especially where it impacts communities of color.

There are a range of community-based programs that have proven track records of success. The three main strategies are being used in Connecticut’s urban centers: hospital-based violence intervention, on-the-ground violence interrupters and focused deterrence.

Lot’s of words, but no meat on the bones, you say?

You have to look at who Mr. Stein is affiliated with.  He runs Connecticut Against Gun Violence.  You see, they have plans for you and everyone, things like [a] Limit the lethality of weapons​, and [b] Support programs that reduce gun violence by changing the cultural norms and individual behaviors that increase the risk of gun injuries and fatalities.

Those are code words – let me interpret them for you.  Give up your semiautomatic firearms, and agree to regular inspections of your home by the police who will ensure that all guns are locked up and unloaded.

And if you don’t agree to this, you are a racist, you see.  It has nothing to do with the fact that the black community is shooting itself because of cultural problems, it has to do with you.  It’s all your fault.

And as I have mentioned before, my grandfather fought in WWI, came home with barely an elementary school education, worked hard doing manual labor in the railroads his entire life where he broke his back and never missed a day of work, and retired just before he passed away.

But I’m sure that, according to Mr. Stein, he was privileged.  I’m sure we’re all racists for saying, “No, you can keep your gun control and I’ll keep my guns, that you very much.”  Because it’s all our fault, and this is the trajectory the progressives want us on.

Do you understand?